CELEB GOSS: The Hunger Games' Mockingjay to bring surprises

Aug. 19, 2014, noon

Read on for today's top five celebrity stories.

Expect surprises in Hunger Game Mockingjay

Even avid readers of The Hunger Games will be surprised with the next instalment of the hit franchise, according to director Francis Lawrence.In Mockingjay - Part 1 there won’t be any major changes from Suzanne Collins’ novel, Lawrence tells Entertainment Weekly.

But there will be some added new elements.‘‘Instead of changing the plot and changing characters what we did was have the opportunity to show scenes that could have been happening at different times in the book,’’ Lawrence says.

Fans will get to see new districts and get a better glimpse of the dystopian world of Panem, where Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss becomes a beacon of hope as a rebel leader.Director Lawrence, who also helmed 2013’s The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, says this includes expanding Julianne Moore’s part as rebel president, Alma Coin.

‘‘What’s interesting is although she’s a huge character in Mockingjay the book, there’s actually very little of her in it,’’ he says.

‘‘There’s more of her in this than in the book.’’If the propaganda-style teaser trailers with Donald Sutherland’s President Snow are also any indication, we might also get to see a bit of what’s happening to the captured Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) and Johanna (Jena Malone) in the Capitol too.

Mockingjay, the final book in Collins’ trilogy, is being split into two films, similar to the style of Harry Potter and Twilight.Lawrence won’t say where that split in the story will be, adding it’s ‘‘going to be one of the really good surprises.’’

But you can also be sure that the love triangle will come into play, particularly with Peeta in the Capitol and Katniss’ other beau Gale (played by Aussie Liam Hemsworth), with her in District 13.Lawrence says in Mockingjay - Part 1, Peeta being out of Katniss’ reach does throw a spanner in the works.

‘‘Obviously he becomes an objective for her, but Gale is right there, so that’s always a tricky situation,’’ he says. em The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 releases in Australian cinemas on November 20

AAP

Christina Aguilera tweets daughter’s name

So proud to welcome our beautiful daughter Summer Rain Rutler into the world.

Singer Christina Aguilera has revealed the name of her baby girl on Twitter. ‘‘So proud to welcome our beautiful daughter Summer Rain Rutler into the world,’’ Aguilera wrote on Monday.

Summer Rain was born on Saturday in Los Angeles. She is Aguilera’s second child but her first with fiance Matthew Rutler, a film producer.Aguilera and ex-husband Jordan Bratman have a six-year-old son, Max Liron.

AAP/DPA

Justin Timberlake accused of racism

Singer Justin Timberlake has come under fire for using a perceived racial slur while wishing Madonna a happy birthday.

The Suit & Tie hitmaker posted a message to the 56-year-old over the weekend reading, ‘‘A happiest of Bdays to my mother chucking ninja, Madonna!! Hope you have a great one, M!’’

After spotting the post, fans took to the social media site to blast Timberlake for using the phrase, which reportedly substitutes, ‘‘motherf***ing n**a.’’

One fan wrote, ‘‘I knew Justin Timberlake was getting too close for comfort with black culture but now he is saying ninja. #nosir.’’